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Monday, November 26, 2007

HHM

Happy Hockey Monday Wildcat Nation!

For the most part a great game Saturday night! See the previous post for details.

What I left out:

Rumors of Dan Rossman's departure have been greatly exaggerated! Dan suited up Saturday night and had a solid night. Good to see you Dan!

But, Dan Dries did not dress - who knows? Along with Greg Collins who is recovering from injury.

It's obvious but Special Teams have returned! The line mix worked very well with vanRiemsdyk joining Fornataro and Radja on the powerplay and putting DeSimone on the first line with Fornataro and Radja to reunite the Pollastrone-LeBlanc-Butler line.

We'll wait and see what we can put together for the Lowell series this weekend!

Player of the Week - Mike Radja. His play speaks for itself.

Rookie of the Week - James vanRiemsdyk. Stellar.

Unsung Hero - tough one this week... Jamie Fritsch! Scored his third goal and almost tallied his third game-winner this year with it! Though the late Brown goal ruined his game-winning goal streak, it was his goal, on a great play by Phil DeSimone, that stood through almost 40 minutes until Radja's second of the night near the five-minute mark of the third. On top of it all Jamie leads the team with a +10!

Future 'Cats

Blake Kessel has become a man possessed. Blake has exploded for a total of seven goals and four assists in 15 games - a total that ties him for first on his Waterloo Blackhawks, as a defenseman! While his plus-minus sits at a dismal -8 he along with fellow Future 'Cat, goaltender Matt DiGirolamo, have helped their Blackhawks find the win column. Matt has overcome some early oxidization on his game to improve his numbers to a 2.01 GAA and a .918 save percentage over eleven games.

Mike Borisenok has also shot to the top of his Green Bay Gamblers scorer list in a tie for first with five goals and seven assists.

Pro 'Cats

NHL

Daniel Winnik has a goal and two assists over his last two games bringing his season point totals to two goals and four assists in eighteen games.

Darren Haydar and Mark Mowers have been healthy scratches for their clubs of late. Darren has a goal and five assists in ten games and Mark has one goal in seventeen games.

AHL

Ty Conklin is maintaining a .913 save percentage and a 2.34 goals against average while leading his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with an 8-7 record.

Garrett Stafford (Grand Rapids Griffins) has four goals and six assists in nineteen games.

Bryan Muir had a goal and six assists in twelve games with the Toronto Marlies and was an incredible +14 before having dropped out of the line-up recently where I have lost track of him.

Last but not least Josh Prudden has a goal and an assist in twelve games with the Worcester Sharks.

ECHL

Jacob Micflikier has racked up a number of points lately and a number of Three Star rankings en route to leading his Stockton Thunder with six goals and fourteen assists.

Sean Collins must have been faced with no other choice - he finally broke down and scored a goal to go with his 18 assists although he too has currently dropped off of my radar as he was not on the roster for his Wheeling Nailers last two games. He is second on the team in points.

Trevor Smith has found his scoring again in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies. He has five goals and seven assists in eleven games - good enough for fourth on the team.

Kevin Truelson continues his excellent play for the Bakersfield Condors. Three goals and six assists in sixteen games and a +4 rating from the blueline is second-most in defensive points and team leading plus-minus.

Shawn Vinz is still looking to find his stride this season with the Charlotte Checkers. He has one goal in eleven games.

Jeff Pietrasiak is finally back in net after the Kings' organization tried to fast-track Jon Quick who went pro after his freshman *correction* sophomore year at UMass last year. Quick had a 2.46/.907 goaltending line which was good enough for tenth among ECHL goaltenders, though far behind the numbers of those above him, was brought up to the Manchester Monarchs. Speaking of which the Monarchs will face Jason Krog and the Chicago Wolves on Dec. 8th. I have some hope that Darren may make a return for that game as it would be great to see both of them play. Anyhow, back to Jeff who has struggled a bit since his return to playing has a 3.37 GAA and a .882 save percentage.

The Fresno Falcons are getting about a point per game contribution from our 'Cats in the form of Brett Hemingway and Josh Ciocco. Brett has three goals and three assists and Josh has two goals and three assists.

The Trenton Devils have also found themselves the beneficiary of 'Cat points from Andrew Leach who is working his way up in the ranks and currently has two goals and five assists in sixteen games which ties him for fifth on the team.

Last but not least our 'Cat defensemen plying their trade for the Phoenix Roadrunners, Brian Yandle and Chris Murray. Brian has five goals and seven assists in fifteen games and Chris has struggled after his great start and subsequent injury but has five assists in eleven games. Chris is even and Brian is a -6, not bad amongst the struggling Roadrunners.